After a fluctuating season for Liverpool’s defence, the back four have struggled to perform to the standard that is expected at such a great club. This lack of consistency begs the question: what is next for players such as Martin Skrtel?
Despite scoring over 100 goals this season and finishing 2nd place behind Manchester City, Liverpool’s season could have ended very differently if fewer goals had been conceded. Ultimately this was down to the defence.
It is no doubt that Liverpool have had a whirlwind of a season, and climbing from 7th to 2nd in just the space of one year and gaining access to the Champions League after so many years is a great achievement. However, there are still improvements that have to be made if they want to continue to compete at such a high level.
After signing for Liverpool in 2008, Martin Skrtel has made 187 appearances and has proved a vital player for them at times. On completion of his deal, Rafael Benítez described him as “aggressive, quick, good in the air and a very good player for the future and also for the present”. However, with times changing at Liverpool, the possibility of some big summer signings is now on the cards. Playing in the Champions League will put them back on the big stage, and with that comes the chance to sign some of the best upcoming players from all across Europe. Sadly, for players such as Martin Skrtel this could be bad news.
The back four has always been a competitive area in the starting XI for Liverpool, and when Mamadou Sakho was thrown into the mix, the fight for an appearance got even tougher. The £18 million French international stormed his way into the team sheet and quickly proved himself as a big, strong, reliable centre/left back, and despite receiving some criticism from the fans, his statistics on paper showed he was a very good signing by Brendan Rodgers. However, the arrival of Sakho meant the pressure was on for players such as Martin Skrtel, and with Daniel Agger having been named as vice-captain to Steven Gerrard, it was clear that he too was a player who had moved up the rankings at the club. Would this mean that Martin Skrtel was now Rodgers’ third choice centre back?
Brendan Rodgers will undoubtedly be looking to make many changes over the coming seasons in order to secure Liverpool’s first ever Premier League title and remain in the Champions League. This could be Skrtel’s big chance to prove himself worthy of staying at the club, especially with rumours of his close friend, Daniel Agger, possibly being sold. However, with Agger’s loyalty being somewhat unwavering, his ‘YNWA’ tattoo across his knuckles suggests he may not want to leave.
Is it time for Martin Skrtel to move on from Liverpool Football Club? Or will he step up his game and prove himself worthy of a place in the starting XI? Only time will tell.
